NC Association

of the Deaf

April 2025 - Issue 65

UPCOMING NCAD BOARD MEETING

May 3rd at 9am to 10am

Zoom TBA

FUTURE NCAD BOARD MEETINGS:

Aug 9th at 10am to 1pm

1175 Revolution Mill Drive, Suite #15

Greensboro, NC

Nov 1st at 10am - 1pm

1175 Revolution Mill Drive, Suite #15

Greensboro, NC

Feb 7th at 10am - 1pm

1175 Revolution Mill Drive, Suite #15

Greensboro, NC

The Mural - Signs of the Times

The mural at Debbie's Embroidery titled "Signs of the Times" was designed by Nico Cathcart with mentorship from Greta McLean of the Community Mural Institute. This project was a collaboration with the North Carolina School for the Deaf (NCSD). American Sign Language (ASL) is integrated throughout the design, framing the three women who have helped promote Deaf culture and values across Burke County. NCSD references are woven into the mural, including the school's colors, water tower, and the mascot (a bear). Goldfinches, native to the area and seen across campus, are featured throughout the mural, symbolizing resilience and freedom.

Georganne Crowe, the former librarian at NCSD, signs from her favorite book, The Giving Tree. The artist, Nico Cathcart, uses her signature style of adding "ghost hands" to show the motion of ASL. This book is meaningful to Georganne as her Dad signed it to her as a child. She is wearing a locket with her husband's photo, whose she met at NCSD.
Ulissa Deloatch, known as "everyone's grandma" signs "I love you" against the backdrop of the campus and its water tower. Loved and respected by students, Ulissa is a trusted counselor and a source of unwavering support, always offering guidance and care at NCSD. A bus in the background pays homepage to Ulissa's husband, who provided transportation for NCSD students for many years. Since many Deaf students live far from the school, the bus symbolizes the vital role of equitable access to education.
Melissa Shumate, a long-time coach and friend of NCSD, embodies the community-building spirit of athletics at the school. Behind her, a flowering tree symbolizes the metaphor she shared with us - her work is like gardening, nuturing and helping students grow. She will sign the word, "Spirit", reflecting her dedication to fostering school pride and unity.

Credited by Kathryn Ervin from TOSS Director

At the ribbon cutting celebration...

Georganne Crowe and her two sons, Dee and John.

Ulissa Deloatch and her husband Joe, her sister Roxanna, daughter in law Wendi, son Matt and her granddaughter Rachel.

Visit the beautiful Mural!

Location: Debbie's Embroidery & Screen Printing

408 S. Sterling St. Morganton, NC

So EXCITED... Mary Jane MJ Grant will be coming in town in June 2025!

Navigating Dementia with an Open HEART ❤️

She will share storytelling, experiences, and interactive discussions.

Many Deaf people everywhere in America are living with Dementia. They have experiences their limited access such as accessiblity and resources to healthcare systems to help them manage their dementia in better health. Their caregivers have challenged to understand and support their Deaf people with dementia.

Mary Jane "MJ" Grant, well known national speaker on this topic, has been advocating for her Deaf mother whose dementia is progressing. MJ wants to share her personal experiences as a caregiver, advocate, educator, and community leader with Deaf Community.

Mj will be our speaker to share her journey as CODA, caregiver, and sign language interpreter with our Deaf people here in NC. Her workshop will empower us to prepare better when we may be faced with dementia. It will also help us be self advocates to find appropriate resources in the Deaf Community.

DSNC wants every Deaf senior to prepare better for their health issues which they may be confronted with, This workshop will be a perfect opportunity for our people to learn more about this disease and lead their lives to the fullest they can have.

Deaf Seniors of North Carolina will sponsor her workshop at the University of NC, Greensboro on June 7, 2025 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Her presentation "Navigating Dementia with an Open HEART" : Hope, Empathy, Awareness, Resilience, and Trust. She will explain her journey, explore the dementia care, and emphasize how important culture and accessibility to healthcare systems are for Deaf people in NC.

This session will be focusing on:

1. Understanding Dementia in the Deaf Community

2. The Care journey

3. Communication Strategies

4. Barriers to Quality Care and Advocacy

5. Caregiver and Community Support

Free admission. Please RSVP to Linda Nelson at lknelson2@gmail.com. by May 21, 2025 if you will want to attend her workshop.

Thank you

Linda Nelson, President of Deaf Seniors of NC